No civic reception for Torquay United - because it would break rules

Torquay United players and staff celebrate winning the league by Asa Hall, Captain of Torquay United lifting the winners trophy after the Vanarama National League South match between Torquay United and Hungerford Town at Plainmoor Torquay, Devon on Monday 22 April - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Torbay's ceremonial ‘mayor’ has been told he can’t hold a civic reception for Torquay United’s title-winning players because the Gulls’ success has come too close to the council elections.

Ian Doggett has been told that he can’t welcome manager Gary Johnson and his players to the town hall for an official congratulation because he would risk breaching the so-called pre-election ‘purdah’ period when the council cannot be seen to be favouring any candidate over another.

The purdah generally comes into force for a period roughly three weeks preceding the election.

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Mr Doggett is standing as a candidate for the Liberal Democrats in Paignton, but insists he just wants to give the Torquay players a proper party before they all go off for their post-season holidays, and doesn’t want to use it to improve his chances at the ballot box.

“I’m not just jumping on the bandwagon,” he said. “I go up to Torquay United quite a lot. They have done so well, and I just thought we ought to try to do a reception for them before they all go on holiday.”

Mr Doggett is the chairman of Torbay Council, which makes him the borough’s ceremonial ‘mayor’.

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Mr Doggett said he was first told his cash-strapped council did not have the money to host a reception, but he was then advised the ‘purdah’ rules would prohibit a party until after the May 2 elections.

He said: “I was told that a photo-call outside the town hall just before the elections would not be appropriate. But as chairman of the council I do meet and greet people. I met Princess Anne when she visited Torbay recently. I am there as a figurehead.

“The money is another issue, and I understand they are short of money, but to say I can’t meet them because it is a few days before the local elections is not right. I’m not the kind of person who would seek to make political advantage out of it. I’m just trying to represent Torbay.”